Game 52: Cavs at Bucks

WHAT HAPPENED: There are no moral victories in the NBA. However, Coach Byron Scott has to feel much better about his team after the way it competed against the Bucks. That's half the battle now. Just getting them to play hard.

With the talent they're putting on the court, the Cavs are going to have trouble winning games. They've lost nine in a row, as well as 12 of the last 13.

There were some encouraging signs from Wednesday's game. Veteran shooting guard Anthony Parker tied his career high with 27 points. He was 11 of 14 from the field, 4 of 7 from the arc.

He had a wonderful all-around game with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Why can't he do that once in a while? He's more than capable.

All five starters scored in double figures, including guard Donald Sloan with 12 points and eight assists. He was 5 of 12 from the field. The Cavs might have something here. Sloan is auditioning for the backup point guard job.

The Cavs dished out 27 assists, which is a positive sign.

Bucks guard Monta Ellis got into a scoring duel with Parker and won. He had a game-high 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He was 15 of 25 from the field and scored the Bucks' final 12 points.

Some have wondered if the Cavs will win again this season. It's a legitimate question. The law of averages say they will.

But watching them on the court in the last couple of weeks, one has to wonder. The latest salvo was the shoulder sprain by Kyrie Irving. He'll be sidelined for a week to 10 days. That could be about five to seven games. There's no guarantee he'll return at all.

Get used to seeing a lot of Sloan and Lester Hudson. Both players were call-ups from the D-League and both have shown some promise. Hudson had nine points, five rebounds and six assists. He shot just 3 of 13 from the field and missed all six of his 3-point attempts.

The Cavs have lost seven in a row to the Bucks.

Cavs center Anderson Varejao said he's still experiencing soreness in his right wrist. Everyone seems to expect him back next week, but that might not be the case. There's a chance he won't return at all this year.

UP NEXT: The Cavs travel to Toronto at 7 p.m. Friday at Air Canada Centre.